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Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: carlos13th on May 02, 2014, 04:52:03 AM

Title: Brush on Varnish. Parts going cloudy
Post by: carlos13th on May 02, 2014, 04:52:03 AM
I put some gloss varnish on some models the other day to protect them and then brushed on Matte Varnish on the parts that were not meant to be shiny. Some parts see to have gone a little cloudy.

Why is this? Was it to thick? Is there any way to fix it and how do I avoid it in the future?

Thanks

Carl
Title: Re: Brush on Varnish. Parts going cloudy
Post by: gnomehome on May 02, 2014, 07:22:02 AM
Maybe the first coat of gloss varnish wasn't completely dry and the remaining solvents are now interacting with the Matte Varnish ?

Another possibility is that the brush-on varnish wasn't homogenous (ie not shaken/stirred) enough.
Title: Re: Brush on Varnish. Parts going cloudy
Post by: Major_Gilbear on May 02, 2014, 08:46:39 AM
I agree with gnomehome.

As for avoiding it next time... Allow 24hrs for the first varnish to dry somewhere warm and dry. Also, thin the matte varnish a little so get a thin layer. Make sure the matte varnish is well-mixed too. Finally, allow the matte varnish to dry for 24hrs somewhere warm and dry as well.
Title: Re: Brush on Varnish. Parts going cloudy
Post by: Legion1963 on May 02, 2014, 02:51:02 PM
Possibly the varnish. But it could also be moisture. A short time under a warm lamp (not too close) should do the trick.  8)
Title: Re: Brush on Varnish. Parts going cloudy
Post by: carlos13th on May 02, 2014, 05:24:26 PM
Thanks for the tips guys. Will try it on the next batch of models.
Title: Re: Brush on Varnish. Parts going cloudy
Post by: cram on May 02, 2014, 05:48:11 PM
I would suggest varnishing a test model next to see if it turns out ok, following the above recommendations. That way if it still goes wrong, you haven't messed up the batch of models you just referred to.
Title: Re: Brush on Varnish. Parts going cloudy
Post by: Gary Peach on May 02, 2014, 06:03:09 PM
Yep, allow the base coats to dry fully, paint, inks, washes will all have the effect. Yep mix it well, very well.  Another trick is to pre-heat the figures on a radiator before doing it,  not hot just warm, it dries them out and gets the temp right for matte.  This works really well for spray mattes too. 

As for saving it...  not managed that yet, had to strip or touch in.
Title: Re: Brush on Varnish. Parts going cloudy
Post by: carlos13th on May 02, 2014, 06:41:58 PM
Only small parts were frosted so instead of repainted I tried covering the frost bits with some devlan mud wash. It seemed to be acceptable.
Title: Re: Brush on Varnish. Parts going cloudy
Post by: Mindenbrush on May 03, 2014, 02:17:04 AM
Depends on which brush on matt varnish you are using and temperature.

Daler-Rowney Soluble Matt varnish will go cloudy if it is not shaken well and applied too thickly - the 'talc' settles in crevices.

Any moisture in the air will also give it a 'frosted' effect.

Normally you can recover the figure by applying more gloss varnish.

I always allow my gloss varnish to dry for at least 2 days and normally 1 week before applying the D-R matt in 2 thin coats and as Orctrader states it is thin in application NOT thinned down with thinners.